NEWARK-U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded$18.6milliontolocalNew Jerseyairportsfor runway construction and rehabilitation,fire and rescue equipment,and other safety improvements.

"This federal funding will protect passengers and help local New Jersey airportscontinue to provide reliable service,"said Lautenberg, a member of the SenateTransportation Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the FAA. "New Jersey is a major transportation hub and this funding will help us welcome tourists, accommodate business travelers, and strengthen our economy."

"These grants are important to keeping air travel in New Jersey safe andaffordable,"said Menendez. "Without strong federal investment in aviation our regional airports would not be able to continue to thrive and help drive economic growth."

The following airports will be awarded FAA grants:

Robert J. Miller Air Park in Toms River:$4 million for Ocean County to construct a new runway.

Trenton Mercer Airport:$13.3 million for Mercer County to improve safety and prevent runway overshoot by adding protective technologyat the end of two runways,and $120,000toconduct a wildlife hazard assessment.

Atlantic City International Airport:$765,000 for theSouth Jersey Transportation Authorityto acquire a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle and$300,000for the Authorityto evaluate environmentalissues related to the installation of a new perimeter fence.

Linden Airport:$36,000 for theCity of Linden to conductarunway rehabilitation project.

Essex County Airport:$110,000 for theEssex County Improvement Authoritytoconduct a wildlife hazard assessment.

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